Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the
relative teaching time and student effort required to
successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may
include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also
the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and
complete all assessment requirements, including any
non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None required

Course Description

This unit addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to develop approaches to sustainability within workplaces, including the development and implementation of policy.

This unit applies to people with managerial responsibility who undertake work developing approaches to create strategies within workplaces, including the development and implementation of policy and includes:

1.1. Define scope of sustainability policy
1.2. Gather information from a range of sources to plan and develop policy
1.3. Identify and consult stakeholders as a key component of the policy development process
1.4. Include appropriate strategies in policy at all stages of work for minimising resource use, reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use, and employing life cycle management approaches
1.5. Make recommendations for policy options based on likely effectiveness, timeframes and cost
1.6. Develop policy that reflects the organisation's commitment to sustainability as an integral part of business planning and as a business opportunity
1.7.Agree to appropriate methods of implementation

Element:

2. Communicate workplace sustainability policy

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Promote workplace sustainability policy, including its expected outcome to key stakeholders
2.2. Inform those involved in implementing the policy as to outcomes expected, activities to be undertaken and responsibilities assigned

4.1. Document outcomes and provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders
4.2. Investigate successes or otherwise of policy
4.3. Monitor records to identify trends that may require remedial action and use to promote continuous improvement of performance
4.4. Modify policy and or procedures as required to ensure improvements are made

Learning Outcomes

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a workplace sustainability policy, including the modification of the policy to suit changed circumstances.

Details of Learning Activities

Case studies, individual and group research as well as problem based assessments for the learning activities for this course.

Teaching Schedule

This schedule may be subject to change throughout the semester

Week

Date

Topic

Assessment

1

9th Feb

Course Induction

2

16th Feb

Develop workplace sustainability policy

3

23rd Feb

Overview of the policy development process

4

2nd March

Communicate workplace sustainability policy

5

9th March
Mon 9th March Labour Day Holiday

Develop workplace sustainability policy –research.

Assessment 1 random selection of any 2 weeks

6

16th March

Assessing the current position

7

23rd March

Developing strategies to address gaps from current to desired practise.

Self-Directed study to be reviewed and discussed during next week’s classes.

9

13th April

Sustainability branding

Assessment 1 random selection of any 2 weeks

10

20th April

Developing action plans

11

27th April

Developing objectives and systems to monitor implementation and success of strategy and action plans

12

4th May

Sustainability – the broader strategic view

13

11th May.

The future of sustainability&hellip;..

Assessment 1 random selection of any 2 weeks

Assessment 3 due

14

18th May

Complete assessment 3
preparation for presentations

15

26th May

Presentations

16

1st June

Group Interviews and feedback, resits if required

Week 1 will consist of an induction to the course which will include completion of a pre training review and familiarisation with:
• Your teacher(s) and other students.
• Services and facilities
• Student responsibilities
• Where to get support
• Course requirements, key learning outcomes, assessment, feedback and grading.
• Submission requirements and the resubmission policy
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions and Special Consideration
• Privacy

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

A range of resources will be provided to students throughout the semester.

Overview of Assessment

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Assessment Tasks

This course has three assessment tasks. You must successfully complete all three tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.

Assessment Tasks

Students are required to complete 3 tasks. All tasks must successfully be completed to be deemed competent in this unit.

This assessment is designed to evaluate students ability to critically reflect on their personal learning experiences and their ability to succinctly articulate these as well as their ability to actively participate in class discussion of global sustainability issues.

Scope:
Each week students will participate in the class discussion and activities, they will then provide a brief 200 word summary of the most important aspect of the discussion from their perspective. This will take the form of a discussion board entry.

Requirements:
In weeks 5, 9 and 13 a random selection of any 2 weeks entries will be selected from each student for assessment. This means that over the semester a total of 6 entries will be selected and random.

To pass students are required to have completed a minimum of 3. The quality and number of the remaining entries as well as students participation in the global case study in class activities will determine the final grade for this assessment.

Submission Requirements: Students are required to participate in class activities and post discussion board contributions as per the specific criteria to be outlined in class, during the identified weeks. The parameters of the discussion content will be discussed in the first week of class.

To be deemed competent in this task students must run their own discussion group and participate in class activities and satisfactorily participate in the weekly discussion board discussions.

Suggested structure and marking guides will be prepared and discussed during classes

Task 2 - Sustainability Policy Recommendations - Part 1 :

(Due 6:30 pm Friday week 8)

Group or Individual: Working in groups of NO MORE THAN 3

Purpose:
This assessment is designed to evaluate students ability to assess the sustainability needs of an organisation in accordance with the sustainability policy assessment and development process discussed during weekly classes. This assessment also evaluates student’s ability to develop an organisational sustainability policy in accordance with the needs identified. Each student’s ability to work within and manage a team functions forms an integral part of this assessment.

Scope:
Students are to assume the role of management consultant to a medium sized organisation. They have been engaged by this organisation to help prepare for future marketing directions and challenges which includes a review and recommendations for developing, implementing and monitoring an organisation wide workplace sustainability policy and procedures. This will include an organisational sustainability brand platform.

Requirements:
To be deemed competent in this task, students must prepare a comprehensive sustainability draft report that includes:

• Introduction to the challenge and objectives of the strategy.
• A thorough description and analysis of the business and the business the industry operates in. A PEST analysis needs to be used here with specific reference to the political, legal/regulatory issues that impact the business and it’s environment. Specific reference to any systems/ manufacturing requirements also need to be taken into consideration.
• A clear understanding of the business’s current policy (if there is one) and practice in sustainability evidenced though their stated practices and documents release, media generated etc.
• A clear understanding of the organisations current sustainability positioning within it’s various target markets.
• A brief overview of the business units and areas that will be most impacted by the sustainability policy
• A comment on how the success of the policy and procedures will be monitored and measured.
• A stakeholder register, identifying key stakeholders and a draft “staff website” which will form part of the communications strategy (this will be done on weebly)

As an integral part of this assessment three “review pit stops” will be conducted during class time. Each group member will chair one of the pit stop meetings held with the client (the teacher). Criteria for what constitutes a successful pit stop meeting is attached as part of the marking guide for this assessment. While the project itself will receive an overall group grade, individual grades will be adjusted downwards accordingly for any group member who does not participate in all three pit stop meetings or does not chair a successful pit stop meeting

Submission Requirements: Students are required to provide a written document by the due date uploaded into blackboard. Please note that submissions are not to be emailed.

Suggested structure and marking guides will be prepared and discussed during classes

Task 3. Sustainability - Final Report

Due Date: Due 6:30 pm Friday week 14
Group or Individual: Working in groups of NO MORE THAN 3

Purpose:
This assessment is designed to evaluate students ability to assess the sustainability needs of an organisation in accordance with the sustainability policy assessment and development process discussed during weekly classes. This assessment also evaluates student’s ability to develop an organisational sustainability policy in accordance with the needs identified. Each student’s ability to work within and manage a team functions forms an integral part of this assessment.

Scope:
Students are to assume the role of management consultant to a medium sized organisation. They have been engaged by this organisation to help prepare for future marketing directions and challenges which includes a review and recommendations for developing, implementing and monitoring an organisation wide workplace sustainability policy and procedures. This will include an organisational sustainability brand platform.

Requirements:
To be deemed competent in this task, students must prepare a comprehensive sustainability final report that includes:

• Structured report presentation with contents, references etc.
• Introduction to the challenge and objectives of the strategy.
• A thorough description and analysis of the business and the business the industry operates in a pest analysis needs to be used here with specific reference to the political, legal/regulatory issues that impact the business and it’s environment. Specific reference to any systems/ manufacturing requirements also need to be taken into consideration.
• A clear understanding of the business’s current policy and practice in sustainability evidenced though their stated practices and documents release, media generated etc.
• A clear analysis and statement of the business units and areas that will be most impacted by the sustainability policy
• The sustainability policy statement
• An implementation strategy (with operational strategy)
• A clear description of how the success of the policy and procedures will be monitored and measured.
• A comprehensive stakeholder strategy and communications plan which includes the completion of the “stakeholder” website. (weebly)
• A recommendation as to how the organisation would incorporate its sustainability “commitment” (as evidenced through their policy) into their broader marketing and specifically marketing communications strategy.
• A clear recommendation as to how the organisation should develop and promote a sustainability brand platform to its various target markets.
• Final presentation of recommendations in a class presentation format

As an integral part of this assessment three “review pit stops” will be conducted during class time. Each group member will chair one of the pit stop meetings held with the client (the teacher). Criteria for what constitutes a successful pit stop meeting is attached as part of the marking guide for this assessment. While the project itself will receive an overall group grade, individual grades will be adjusted downwards accordingly for any group member who does not participate in all three pit stop meetings or does not chair a successful pit stop meeting

Note that as part of this assessment final presentations will be scheduled for week 15.

Assessment Matrix

Marking Guide (competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Marking Guide (Grading):
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.

You will be provided with an assessment matrix in the assessments area of the unit blackboard shell. Generally, your grading will be assessed against how well you demonstrate:
• Perform the activities as required by the learning elements of this unit of competency.
• Demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit of competency.
• Execute the required skills for this unit of competency.
• Demonstrate your employability skills through contribution to learning activities related to this assessment, timeliness, use of technology and teamwork.

Submission requirements:
You are required to meet the following criteria for all assessments. Failure to do so may result in you being deemed not-yet-competent:

• Submit all assessment tasks online through blackboard, and include the RMIT e-submission declaration (see below).
• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Retain a copy of your assessment tasks.

Electronic Submission
When submitting work online, you need to include the cover sheet supplied by your teacher. This includes the following declaration:

RMIT Electronic Submission of work for assessment
I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration.
(URL: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/declaration)

Resubmissions:
If you are found to be Not Yet Competent (NYC) in an Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission to demonstrate competence. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.

Late Submissions
Students are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates. If a student is to be prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside their control, they may apply in advance to the teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days. To be eligible for an extension, you must lodge the extension form availabile at the following link with your teacher: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, the student must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. More information on special consideration and how to apply can be found here: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Final Date for All Assessments
No assessment tasks or resubmissions will be accepted after 5pm Friday, week 16.

Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. Information on circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted can be found at the following website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment